TAMPA, Fla. – In the biggest game of the Bucs season, quarterback Baker Mayfield is dealing with sore ribs and so Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles says they’re getting backup Kyle Trask more reps in practice this week with the first team.
“Yeah, we’ll get him (Trask) more reps,” Bowles said. “He’s been preparing all year. If Baker is sore tomorrow (Thursday), Trask will get the reps and we’ll kind of go from there.”
The fate of the NFC South will be decided this weekend. If the Bucs beat the Panthers, they’ll win the NFC South and host a playoff game next week.
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Mayfield got hurt at the end of the Saints game last Sunday on a hit by Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu but managed to go back in and finish the game. He said he thought he’d improve as the week went on. Now he admits he’s hurting but will do everything he can to play Sunday.
“I’m sure by the time we get to game time, adrenaline will be rolling, especially with where we are sitting right now, situationally,” Mayfield said. “I’ll do everything I can to be out there.”
Trask has spent the past two seasons behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert and was beaten out in a QB competition this training camp by Mayfield. Bucs coaches and players say Trask has improved but hasn’t gotten much game action.
Whether it’s Mayfield or Trask under center, the Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs says it’s win and play in the playoffs or lose and go home.
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“I know he’s (Mayfield) is excited to play and do everything he can to get himself ready to play,” Wirfs said. I think this game is more of a playoff game than anyone that we’ve played all year. Playoff football, knowing what’s at stake and knowing that they’re (Panthers) going to be ready to go, trying to ruin something. You know, they’ve got nothing to lose and that’s the most dangerous team.”
It could come down to a game time decision. Mayfield is hoping he’ll be able to fight through the pain, but said he had additional tests done since the preliminary X-rays on Sunday showed no breaks, which is good..
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